Sunday shopping hours extended; kids petition; Sydney doctor on NBC

When year-round Sunday shopping was introduced in October 2006 it got lots of attention but the recent introduction of extended hours by supermarkets and some big box stores went under the radar.
Supermarkets and some box stores extended their hours for the last two Sundays. It was news to me and to many. Some stores are now closing at 8 p.m. on Sundays, instead of 6 p.m.
From the get-go I have been in favour of Sunday shopping. Many cities across North America are enjoying success in the 21st century economy.
Sunday has become the second busiest shopping day of the week.
That I will shop on Sunday after church doesn't affect my religious beliefs, nor will it change any individual. It's all about choice.
Kids organize petition
About a year ago I read an interesting letter to the editor by elementary student Rohit Kochhar who advocated sidewalks and better roads in the Churchill Drive-Boulderwood area of Sydney so he could safely ride his bike to school.
Now Rohit, 10, and friend Andrew Lively, 11, have decided to be a voice for their neighbourhood, advocating for better roads. The two boys got 78 signatures from residents on a petition that they plan to deliver to Derek Mombourquette, the regional councillor for the area. Now that's leadership at a young age.
We should always listen to our youth who are our future leaders. The outcome will be interesting.
Sydney doctor on NBC
Dr. David Dodick, a renowned neurologist who works at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, has appeared on several U.S. TV shows and in major publications. Dodick, who grew up in Whitney Pier and graduated from Sydney Academy, will be appearing on Today on NBC with co-anchors Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira this Wednesday. The morning program airs between 8 o'clock and noon our time.
About four years ago, the Cape Breton Post published a photo of Helen and Simon Dodick of Sydney watching their son David being interviewed on the ABC Nightly News with Peter Jennings. David is a talented individual and certainly the pride of Cape Breton.
Chit chat
Paul Carrigan, manager of the Mayflower Mall, says expansion that took place during the last couple of years is having a positive impact on the mall.
Folks, look for more good news about new businesses and expansion next year. Paul is excited about the opportunities for 2010.
I had a nice chat with Anita and Mike Pierrynowski in front of the YMCA. Out for their daily walk this week, Anita and Mike commented on the new look of Charlotte Street.
"The colour scheme of the new and refurbished buildings certainly blend, which adds new life to the downtown core," said Mike.
The new YMCA, a new office building that will house the Royal Bank, and the Lawtons building have been great additions to Sydney's downtown area
The Alive on the Island Festival received rave reviews from tourists and locals. It was great to hear encouraging words from Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation chief executive officer John Lynn who spoke eloquently before Saturday's event. Although 60 per cent of tickets for the festival were bought by tourists, I'm sure locals will support next year's event because of the positive feedback.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's latest appointments to the Senate created a buzz across the country last week. Die-hard Nova Scotia Tories were convinced that Brooke Taylor, a former provincial Tory cabinet minister who backed Harper as Conservative leader, was headed to the Senate. But Kelvin Ogilvie, past-president of Acadia University, got the post. Insiders say two Cape Bretoners were also on Harper's list of possibilities, businessman Marty Chernin and former premier Rodney MacDonald.
With Rodney MacDonald stepping down as MLA for Inverness, the door could be open for Cape Breton South MLA Manning MacDonald to retire. If the Liberals win the Inverness seat it would allow Manning, a veteran politician, to quit the legislature since his vote would no longer be required to maintain Stephen McNeil's status as Opposition leader.
Folks, enjoy your Labour Day weekend. On Monday, the district labour council will sponsor its annual picnic at the Sydney boardwalk from noon to 2 p.m. There will be entertainment, food, speakers and fun for the family. The labour council is asking people to bring a non-perishable food for the food bank at Loaves and Fishes.
Farside of me
The price is what you pay; the value is what you receive.
Famous quotation
Treat your customers like lifetime partners.
- Michael LeBoeuf, American business author
Fred Jackson is managing editor of the Cape Breton Post. Reach him at fjackson@cbpost.com

For the believers : the Creator-God created and set apart a day of rest (the 7th day) and he blessed that day which is the seventh day of the week (Saturday).
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It is the 4th commandment of the 10 as revealed in Ex.20:9-11!
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For the NON-BELIEVERS, I am reminded of the following scripture: ...and they HAVE NO REST day or night who worship the beast... (Rev.14:11)
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The Beast represents the ungodly man-made-systems of this world. And, those who shop, and/or, buy/sell 7 days a week are, unwittingly, worshipping that man-made Beast Power .
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They reject, scorn and mock the Creator-God's 4th commandment. Woe to them, for their end is not a pretty one!

Try reading what, People? The vote shouldn't have happened in the first place. Who is the Gov (or anyone else) to tell me how to run my business? If I want to open on Sunday then that should be my choice. If people want to come into my store, that's their choice. I'm sorry if retail workers feel they have a right to Sunday's off but perhaps they should find another line of work that allow's them to choose a schedule. I work most Sundays (health care). Whoop De Doo!! It's called making a living. Again, nobody is forcing people to work in stores. If they don't want to be there, they don't have to. And another point I'd like to make is that alot of those NO voters seem to be hippocrites! I've seen many people that were deadset against Sunday openings browsing the aisles at Wal Mart and/or picking up groceries! On Sunday! So the YES voters and the hippocrites have spoken. Sunday shopping is here to stay. Get used to it!

Hi Iggy from Glace Bay. Nice to know Walmart was packed. The Church only had 127 people. I guess you win.
Shop till you drop. After all, you are helping the economy recover by shopping 7 days a week.
This will keep my job going Monday to Friday, Saturday off so I can shop and Sunday to take the time to thank my Creator, God for the life I have.
Thanks, Iggy. I simply didn't realize the importance of you and your followers.

Wide Awake: Doesn't the Bible say that God created the heavens and earth and on the seventh day he rested? That always puzzled me. Why did God have to rest? He's God, he doesn't need a rest. What would he do? play golf? Watch TSN? Any answers?

The people are riled! we live in a post - Christian age and the new god is consumerism and the buck. There main holy day is of course borrowed from the Christians - Christmas. Just as Christianity borrowed their holy days from paganism. We're inventing new holy (spending) days by the dozens. Let's see how many people get out to BUY on Grandparents day. Notice how halloween is getting big as Christmas? And you have your knickers in a knot because stores are open on Sunday?

Hey People!! The people speak every Sunday with their wallets! They're speaking so loudly in fact, hours have been extended! I've yet to see anybody picketing outside the stores. So get over your sour grapes. Sunday shopping is here to stay! Thankfully!

That is YOUR belief. Last timed I check Hindus, Muslims, Buddishts, Atheists, Wiccans and many more forms of spiritual beliefs are practiced daily around the world. Christian Pushiness and narrow mindedness went out of fashion 25 years ago.

This is my last comment on this matter, People. If you can't logically debate someone without resorting to name calling you're too immature to understand anyone else's point of view. So why bother trying. I'll pray for you and that you become a less rude person. You have yourself a nice day.
Btw- Wal Mart was packed today!

Been an atheist for over 40 yrs & really don't care what day(s) you choose to shop! What has always puzzled me is the christian belief in not working, but resting on sundays (the whole 1st or 7th day debate is meaningless as christians consider sunday the 7th day). By going out to eat, shopping, etc., you are creating a demand for people to work (or possibly lose their jobs if they refuse). If no one shopped, went out to eat, etc., businesses would be closed and all would get that day of rest . No surprise there, as the majority of christians I've known only apply the principles that are convenient to them.

Zimmy from Skirdu, Once I drove through Skirdu and they had a giant Ski-doo for the Christmas parade. Do you remember that and if so do they still have it. My knickers will be in a knot if I have to build one.

You may enjoy Sunday Shopping, but the people who have to work EVERY SUNDAY don't! They would rather be home with their families on Sundays than catering to the craziness of the customers who ruin their days with anger and rudeness. Most employers will not allow employees to refuse working sundays. If they do, their hours drop through the rest of the week.

Hey.........y'all......according to the commandments of the Creator-God, there is no prohibition against working on the first day of the week__Sunday!
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He prohibits working from dawn to eve/dust on the 7th day of the week __Saturday!
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There are some who quit work on the eve of the 6th day (Friday) until the eve of the 7th day (Saturday).
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In short, if you're a church goer, then it's certainly OK to work on Sunday__ the first day of the week.

RE:sunday shopping,
I have nothing against sunday shopping but what happens when it spreads to the holiday's! Soon it will be wide spread and the stores will be able to open on any day!! (I do believe the NS government has said they CAN open Christmas day)But no one should be forced in to working on those days, but that is the way it goes, we may not like it, but it's a fact!!!

Lighten up WIDE AWAKE.
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So do you lie comatose every Sunday without performing a single task that constitutes work? Who cooks for you on Sunday or do you fast? Is cooking not work?Please describe your Sundays or better yet dont.
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Another thing , by using hell fire messages you sure wont attract anyone sane to your church imo.
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Wheres the love?

For the believers : the Creator-God created and set apart a day of rest (the 7th day) and he blessed that day which is the seventh day of the week (Saturday).
br
br
It is the 4th commandment of the 10 as revealed in Ex.20:9-11!
br
br
For the NON-BELIEVERS, I am reminded of the following scripture: ...and they HAVE NO REST day or night who worship the beast... (Rev.14:11)
br
br
The Beast represents the ungodly man-made-systems of this world. And, those who shop, and/or, buy/sell 7 days a week are, unwittingly, worshipping that man-made Beast Power .
br
br
They reject, scorn and mock the Creator-God's 4th commandment. Woe to them, for their end is not a pretty one!

Try reading what, People? The vote shouldn't have happened in the first place. Who is the Gov (or anyone else) to tell me how to run my business? If I want to open on Sunday then that should be my choice. If people want to come into my store, that's their choice. I'm sorry if retail workers feel they have a right to Sunday's off but perhaps they should find another line of work that allow's them to choose a schedule. I work most Sundays (health care). Whoop De Doo!! It's called making a living. Again, nobody is forcing people to work in stores. If they don't want to be there, they don't have to. And another point I'd like to make is that alot of those NO voters seem to be hippocrites! I've seen many people that were deadset against Sunday openings browsing the aisles at Wal Mart and/or picking up groceries! On Sunday! So the YES voters and the hippocrites have spoken. Sunday shopping is here to stay. Get used to it!

Hi Iggy from Glace Bay. Nice to know Walmart was packed. The Church only had 127 people. I guess you win.
Shop till you drop. After all, you are helping the economy recover by shopping 7 days a week.
This will keep my job going Monday to Friday, Saturday off so I can shop and Sunday to take the time to thank my Creator, God for the life I have.
Thanks, Iggy. I simply didn't realize the importance of you and your followers.

Wide Awake: Doesn't the Bible say that God created the heavens and earth and on the seventh day he rested? That always puzzled me. Why did God have to rest? He's God, he doesn't need a rest. What would he do? play golf? Watch TSN? Any answers?

The people are riled! we live in a post - Christian age and the new god is consumerism and the buck. There main holy day is of course borrowed from the Christians - Christmas. Just as Christianity borrowed their holy days from paganism. We're inventing new holy (spending) days by the dozens. Let's see how many people get out to BUY on Grandparents day. Notice how halloween is getting big as Christmas? And you have your knickers in a knot because stores are open on Sunday?

Hey People!! The people speak every Sunday with their wallets! They're speaking so loudly in fact, hours have been extended! I've yet to see anybody picketing outside the stores. So get over your sour grapes. Sunday shopping is here to stay! Thankfully!